dwelt, always towards rear
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, kept on under pressure
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, driven forward to lead over 4f out, hung left under pressure over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace closing stages
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, faded final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon in touch, hung right and weakened over 1f out
in touch, driven halfway, lost place over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway when hung right over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on gamely
took keen hold, led until over 4f out, led again entering final furlong, ran on strongly
Red Pike was beaten less than a length at Ascot on his seasonal debut and Zanetto ran well for second at Goodwood last week. Both have strong claims but collateral form makes them hard to separate so the vote goes to MEHDI. Richard Fahey's charge will need to step up on his recent third at York but can race off the same mark today and finished ahead of Kickboxer, Hoof It and Barracuda Boy last time. Highland Acclaim has every chance on October's second at York and the unexposed Justice Well is worth noting on his return having beaten a subsequent Group 3 winner here on last year's debut.
Highland Acclaim (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, never better than mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 26, 27l behind Speculative Bid (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Kickboxer (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Raced towards centre mid-division when groups merged halfway, headway 2f out, soon every chance, no extra near finish, 7th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Algar Lad (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Hoof It 20-1 (9-4) Soon pushed along near side, never better than mid-division, 13th of 17, 5l behind Algar Lad (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Barracuda Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Raced near side tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Algar Lad (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Discussiontofollow (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Soon chased leaders, 8th halfway, closed into 2nd 1f out, no impression and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 2 1/4l behind Watchable (9-6) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Sep.
Redvers (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 19th of 26, 16l behind Speculative Bid (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Red Pike (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Went right start, led, travelling well 2f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd close home and 3rd post, 4th of 13, 1/2l behind Basil Berry (9-8) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Zanetto 9-2 (9-6) Raced keenly, pressed leader, challenged 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner but held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Ruwaiyan (9-12) at Goodwood 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Red Refraction (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Held up behind, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 14l behind Spark Plug (9-4) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Justice Well 12-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, every chance 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Richard Pankhurst (9-3) at Royal Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Love Island 9-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, effort on outside over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Gran Canaria Queen (9-1) at Ripon 6f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Mehdi (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Raced towards centre mid-division when groups merged halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Algar Lad (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Mukhmal (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Slowly away in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 7l behind Captain Colby (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Go Far 40-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 16th of 22, 6l behind Eastern Impact (9-5) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf.
